Americans United - Capitol Commissionhttps://www.au.org/tags/capitol-commission
enSins Of Commission: Conservative Christian Groups Are Turning Kansas Statehouse Into A Revival Tent https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/sins-of-commission-conservative-christian-groups-are-turning-kansas
<a href="/about/people/simon-brown">Simon Brown</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">It’s only a matter of time before the Kansas statehouse is indistinguishable from a church.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>Americans United has already raised some concerns about Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s seeming disregard for church-state separation. He is a steady ally of the Religious Right, having been the only governor to attend Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Christians-only prayer rally in Texas last summer. He also <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/faith-based-frenzy-kansas-governor-preaches-religion-as-solution-to-social">frequently pushes “faith-based” programs</a> and has signed bills restricting abortion rights. If he gets his way, it will even be <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/religion-over-rights-kansas-bill-would-let-%E2%80%98religious-freedom%E2%80%99-curb-civil">legal in Kansas to discriminate against LGBT persons</a> – as long as you do it in the name of religion.</p><p>Brownback gave his blessing recently to <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/what-s-still-the-matter-with-kansas-revival-workshop-at-statehouse-shows">a three-day “transforming revival” workshop</a> that was to be held in August in the main chamber of the Kansas House of Representatives. It was ultimately moved to another venue thanks to scrutiny from Americans United and the news media.</p><p>Now a <a href="http://cjonline.com/news/2012-09-15/kansas-statehouse-faith-moves-forefront">recent report</a> by the Topeka <em>Capital-Journal</em> has shed some additional light on just how integrated conservative Christianity is into day-to-day governmental operations in Kansas. The newspaper found that all members of the legislature and employees working for the governor in the statehouse are invited to a weekly prayer breakfast and a noon Bible study, which is held in one of Brownback’s offices.</p><p>Dave DePue of Capitol Commission, a group that seeks to place pastors in every statehouse to give “advice” to lawmakers (and which was heavily involved in the “transforming revival” workshop stunt), told the <em>Capital-Journal</em> that Brownback's staff asked for a group prayer for the journalists who report about Brownback.</p><p>The <em>Capital-Journal</em> reported that a coalition of churches formed a committee last year that meets for prayer and music at the statehouse one Saturday per month. A push is also under way to construct a chapel in the statehouse, and a group of lawmakers and volunteers has organized into teams “invoking cumulative power of prayer,” the newspaper said.</p><p>Is DePue even a little concerned about the message of religious favoritism being sent to the public? Not in the least.</p><p>“It’s a civil society, and everybody in society has a voice whether one of the groups likes it or not,” DePue said, according to the <em>Capital-Journal</em>.</p><p>Keep in mind this is all going on in a state that <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/shariah-charade-kansas-lawmakers-needlessly-ban-islamic-law">recently banned shariah law</a> from its courts even though there was a complete absence of any credible threat from the Islamic legal code. It’s no surprise, then, that Muslims wouldn’t be given a red-carpet welcome at the Kansas statehouse.</p><p>According to the <em>Capital-Journal</em>, DePue said Muslims should make no assumptions about being hosted in the statehouse.</p><p>“They can apply,” he told the newspaper. “The main concern would be security. Probably that would be a valid reason. With security, if they felt it was an insecure situation, they would be told no.”</p><p>When you add all of this up, it sends a very clear message: non-Christians keep out.</p><p>Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn told the <em>Capital-Journal</em> that overtly Christian messages in a governmental setting make second-class citizens of those who don’t follow the majority faith.</p><p>“It creates tremendous problems,” Lynn said, “for people of religious minority groups or nonbelievers.”</p><p>It certainly does create problems, and at this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the Kansas statehouse is indistinguishable from a church.</p></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/prayer-at-government-events-and-legislative-meetings">Prayer at Government Events and Legislative Meetings</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/gov-sam-brownback">Gov. Sam Brownback</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/dave-depue">Dave DePue</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/capitol-commission">Capitol Commission</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/gov-rick-perry">Gov. Rick Perry</a></span></div></div>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:46:29 +0000Simon Brown7553 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/sins-of-commission-conservative-christian-groups-are-turning-kansas#commentsA Tale Of Two States: Kansas Opts For Government-Sponsored Religion, While Hawaii Respects Diversityhttps://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/a-tale-of-two-states-kansas-opts-for-government-sponsored-religion-while
<a href="/about/people/bathija">Sandhya Bathija</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Brownback crossed the church-state line on his first day office. Fortunately, not all lawmakers are set on sidestepping the Constitution.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>This month, new officials across the country are taking office and getting ready for their chance to govern.</p>
<p>How they start off their term often sends a strong message about their respect for church-state separation and religious diversity. Unfortunately, some officials don’t bother to follow the constitutional principle at all.</p>
<p>For example, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a religious right ally, is already cloaking his rule in religion. Brownback, who was a resident of the infamous <a href="http://www.au.org/media/church-and-state/archives/2009/09/behind-the-green-door.html">“C Street House”</a> while serving in the Senate, has always been a <a href="http://blog.au.org/2009/03/10/family-feud-religious-right-attacks-brownback-over-sebelius-nomination/">foe</a> of church-state separation.</p>
<p>According to the Topeka <em>Capitol-Journal</em>, Brownback’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday sounded like a religious revival meeting. The newspaper noted that “[e]xpressions of Christian faith were plentiful throughout the Capitol” during the event.</p>
<p>The newspaper reported that Brownback declared the day of his inauguration a “gift from God,” and said that faith would help the state face its economic and social problems in the same way abolitionists ended “original sin in America.”</p>
<p>As part of Inauguration Day, the Old Supreme Court room on the third floor of the Kansas Statehouse was reserved as a prayer room for all legislators and government officials. Throughout the day, musicians also entertained those “seeking divine guidance.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.kansasfpc.com/about http://www.kansasprogress.com/wordpress/index.php/2011/01/09/kansas-family-policy-prayer-on-the-hill-monday-kansas-150-years-old/">program</a> was sponsored by the Capitol Commission, a ministry in more than a dozen states, as well as the Kansas Family Policy Council, a group whose <a href="http://www.kansasfpc.com/about">purpose</a> is to “promote and defend Judea Christian family values,” and <a href="http://www.au.org/resources/religious-right-research/organizations/concerned-women-for-america.html">Concerned Women for America</a>.</p>
<p>Needless to say, Brownback crossed the church-state line on his first day office. Fortunately, not all lawmakers are set on sidestepping the Constitution.</p>
<p>While Brownback may want to push his religious beliefs on his constituents, Hawaii senators want to ensure the same doesn’t happen in their state.</p>
<p>State Senate leaders have recommended that the Hawaii Senate no longer invite members of the clergy to offer an invocation before floor sessions. The change in policy will be part of the new rules package the body is considering before beginning the legislative session on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“We respect everybody's different levels of faith and the different religions that they support,” state Senate President Shan Tsutsui (D-Kahului), <a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110112_Senators_recommend_halt_to_opening-day_invocations.html">told</a> the Honolulu <em>Star Advertiser</em>. “We don’t think by us not having an invocation at the beginning of session – we’re not making any type of statement, but rather we’re respecting each individual’s religious beliefs.”</p>
<p>That would be a huge step in the right direction, and a strong start to a new year. If only all our government officials could follow their lead.</p>
<p>As always, please keep an eye on governors, legislators and other elected officials in your state. If they’re crossing the church-state line, let us know.</p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/capitol-commission">Capitol Commission</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/hawaii">Hawaii</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/hawaii-legislature">Hawaii Legislature</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/kansas">Kansas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/kansas-family-policy-council">Kansas Family Policy Council</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/sam-brownback">Sam Brownback</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/shan-tsutsui-concerned-women-america">Shan Tsutsui. Concerned Women for America</a></span></div></div>Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:26:47 +0000Sandhya Bathija2498 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/a-tale-of-two-states-kansas-opts-for-government-sponsored-religion-while#comments